The AMA has been sanctioning and promoting motorcycle racing since the association was created in 1924. Today, the AMA sanctions more motorcycle events in America than any other entity by a wide margin and is quite possibly the most active motorsports sanctioning body in the world. Much of that activity is in the discipline of road racing.
Motorcycle road racing features contests of speed on closed, paved courses. Riders compete on a range of bike styles, from nearly stock street-legal sport bikes modified to be safe for the competition to purpose-built road race machines. Most road race bikes are fully faired, aerodynamically designed with aggressive ergonomics, although some classes feature more traditional road chassis and nonfaired machines. The history of road racing in America has deep ties to dirt track racing. At one time, the AMA Grand National Champion was determined based on combined points in both road racing and dirt track.
The AMA does not work alone. Over its history, the association has partnered with countless clubs, organizations, and companies to hold events and manage series. From local non-profit enduro clubs to large national corporations, the AMA has worked with a range of partners to improve the sport.
By virtue of its responsibility to issue licenses for professional road racing in America, the AMA is exclusively charged with advancing amateur road racers to the professional ranks. Full licensing procedures for the AMA. The AMA’s partner in professional road racing in America is MotoAmerica.
The AMA works with a number of additional road racing organizations to manage amateur road racing in America. These organizations maintain their own class structures, schedules, supplemental rules, and additional licensing requirements.
The AMA Road Race Grand Championship is a single national championship event that determines AMA amateur and expert national road racing champions. This format mirrors what is done in dirt track, motocross, Arenacross, Hillclimb, ice racing and other disciplines. A highlight of the event is the Nicky Hayden AMA Road Race Horizon Award, which is awarded to the rider showing the most promise for success in the professional ranks. Past winners of the Nicky Hayden AMA Road Race Horizon Award have included Jason DiSalvo, Hayden Gillim, Jake Lewis, Ben Spies, Miles Thornton, and Blake Young.
2023 Nicky Hayden AMA Road Race Horizon Award Letter of Intent
Other awards presented at the event include the AMA Road Race Youth Award, the AMA Road Race Top Novice Award and the AMA Road Race Vet/Senior Award. Continue checking back for updates on this event.
- RRGC: Competition Bulletin (updated August 2023)